Business
Growers must also pay close attention to the costs of doing business on the farm. As costs of inputs such as fuel and fertilizers continue to increase, growers must find new ways to increase efficiency and help consumers understand the value of their products. By keeping costs under control and selling product at a fair price, growers are able to expand the industry in New York.
BUSINESS CATEGORIES
Orchard Video Resources: Winter Webinar Recordings and More
Mike Basedow, Tree Fruit Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Tis the season of webinars! If you're looking for recordings of past tree fruit webinars Cornell ENYCHP has been involved in, they could be in one of a few locations….. we compiled them all into this post for you. Simply click on the webinar title to be taken directly to the recording. We recommend bookmarking this page if you'd like to come back to them in the future, and we will continue to update this listing as new webinars occur.
New York Farm Laborer Overtime Threshold to Decline
Elizabeth Higgins, Team Leader, Business Management Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
New York's state government took another major step toward reducing the farm laborer overtime threshold on September 30, 2022. Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon issued a press release and official order accepting the findings of the Farm Laborer Wage Board report6. The NY State Department of Labor will now begin a rule making process to make the Commissioner's order formally a state regulation, this process will include a 60-day public comment period. This is the conclusion of a long and controversial political process that started with the 2019 passage of the Farm Laborer's Fair Labor Practices Act (FLFLPA) in 2019, and continued through 14 lengthy public meetings and hearings of the wage board.

Upcoming Events
2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Field Tour
Keeseville, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on July 15 for our annual Champlain Valley Summer Orchard Meeting! This year we will be meeting at Hart Apple Farm to learn about the varieties they are growing in one of their newer plantings, hear updates from faculty and extension agents on their current research projects, and view a few of Mike's local thinning projects firsthand.
DEC credits in categories 22, 1A, and 10 will be available. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect. Rain date is July 16.
2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
July 15, 2026 : 2026 Hudson Valley Berry Field Day
Kinderhook, NY
Join specialists Heather Kase, Scott Cosseboom, Nathaniel Westrick, and Anna Wallis for updates and a review of berry phenology and pest management. Presentations will be given on berry horticultural and pest management considerations for strawberries, blueberries, brambles, and minor fruit crops. Light refreshment & snacks will be provided. Registration is encouraged but there is no fee for attendance. 1.00 DEC credit will be available in categories 10, 1a, and 22
Field Day at Philia Farm
August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Visit organic seed production trials and tour the farm to see small-scale production systems at work, including tarping, cover cropping, and the use of assorted mulches and covers to modify the growing environment.
